themelvinator Blog

Didn’t see “Rambo” today. My aunt Regina is in town today and we all decided to go out for dinner. We all went to La Fuente’s Mexican Restaurant, which is a must see if you are in Tucson. My aunt wanted to check out the mariachi performance. Good food, good fun!

Speaking about fun, me and some friends are going to check out the Wynton Marsalis concert next Tuesday night, at Centennial Hall. In case you don’t know, Wynton Marsalis is a jazz trumpet player. He also plays classical trumpet, but I’m not really sure he does that anymore. He has a lot of recordings available.

That’s really interesting that happened today.

Until next time…

Decided to take a little break from reading. I didn’t realize just how much reading and knowledge retention it takes for history. I decided to use 3×5 cards for the bulk of my memorization. I also have an essay due tomorrow. I almost have it written out. It’s funny, I haven’t been in school for about 6 years and I am definitely taking a whole new approach to studying. I used to get assignments and I wouldn’t start them until they just before they were due. Now, I am effectively staying ahead of assignments and readings. Anyway, I do enjoy all my classes this semester. I am taking 12 units now, but I may add 3 more units later in the semester (by way of late-start classes). After tomorrow’s classes, Tim and I are going to see “Rambo” in the theater.

Here is a little background about my family. Tim is my little brother and also my roommate. We have been roommates for about 5 years now, since he moved down here to Tucson out of high school. I also have another brother, Steve. He has been down a little longer than Tim; he got his degree at the U of A and now works with the College of Medicine as a web developer.

Anyway, I better finish that essay if I want to see “Rambo” tomorrow. I will write a review about it tomorrow.

Until next time…

I saw the movie “August Rush” this weekend at the cheap theaters. I thought the movie was great; it has some remarkable components to it: the music (rock, acoustic guitar, gospel choir and classical), great acting (mainly from Freddie Highmore, but some great acting from Keri Russell, Robin Williams and Jonathan Rhys Meyers) and the never give up spirit. Jonathan Rhys Meyers (you my know him from the movie “Bend It Like Beckman”, as the girls soccer coach) and Keri Russell both play musicians from the opposite side of the spectrum, one a rock musician and the other a classical cellist. Freddie Highmore plays a musical prodigy and is the unknown son of both musical characters, is finding and using his gift, to play and compose the music that is in his heart. Anyway, I don’t like to give the whole story out, I encourage you to check out “August Rush”, I’m not sure when it would be available on DVD, but it’s still in the cheap theaters.

Until next time…

So far, I am enjoying my college experience. I have one instructor that is a laid-back, down to earth Linux fanatic. I have another instructor that is a jazz musician. My history instructor although is hard to understand (there is always a professor/teacher/lab instructor every semester) is very engaging and is knowledgeable. I haven’t bought my textbooks yet, and was hoping I didn’t really have to (some classes are like that), but I must get those today. I just hope I can re-sell these at the end of the semester.

I am also pro actively practicing my trumpet. I have been playing since the sixth grade. I played in high school (marching band, concert band and jazz) and in my first 2 years in college at the U of A (Pride of Arizona marching band). I also play in my church music group. I have 2 trumpets: one a Bb Bach Strad LR-180 with a reverse leadpipe and the other a C Stomvi Elite. I have been setting aside at least an hour a day (sometimes 2) to practice. I mainly use the Arban Complete Conservatory Method and the Schlossberg: Daily Drills and Technical Studies. So far, I enjoy putting in the time to practice and have been noticing a change in my playing.

Well, I better start my homework for next week.

Until next time…

I am officially back in the saddle again. After being dormant for 5 months (to the day, I may add), I am posting another rant to the blog-o-sphere. Also, I am starting college classes today as well. It’s kind of weird. I haven’t been in school for 3 years. I guess it is time to finally get that degree! I am working for a Bachelor in Business Administration, and perhaps a minor in Computer Science (or Computer Engineering); I haven’t decided yet.

As some of you may know already, I no longer work at Jason’s Deli. I left back in September and haven’t looked back since. I have been with the company for many, many years (about 10 years); first as an employee, then into management. I enjoyed working for the company, learned a lot of lessons about responsibility, accountability, aspects of running a growing business and how to manage people. I have gained a lot of mentors and friendships over the years there and I am truly grateful for that, and I will cherish that for the rest of my life.

For the past few months, I have been brushing up on my web design muscles. Before Jason’s Deli, I was a web developer for the Department of Hydrology, at the University of Arizona. A lot has changed in 10 years. I remember using notepad (or vi in UNIX) to create and modify code. JavaScript, Perl, CGI, CSS and other technologies was in it’s infancy. Now there is so much more technologies to learn, so many more options.

Anyway, I have to go to class now.

Until next time…